Nottingham Forest missed a chance to move five points clear of the relegation zone with a 0-0 draw at Wolves – which ended up being Sean Dyche’s final game in charge before he was sacked.

This is despite the fact that the home side have had 35 shots on goal against the bottom side of the Premier League at the City Ground.

It has been almost 10 years since a Premier League side had so many shots but no goals, but Forest failed to beat the worst team in the league, who had never kept an away clean sheet in the top flight before this game.

Forest were booed by fans as they failed to capitalize on points dropped by the teams around them, damaging their survival hopes. They are in a precarious position ahead of tough games against Liverpool, Brighton and Manchester City.

How Dyche’s final game unfolded

Morgan Gibbs-White and new signing Lorenzo Luca missed great chances in a one-sided first half, but their best chance fell to Morato late on. Although he failed to beat Wolves goalkeeper Jose Sa from close range thanks to a fine save.

It was a frustrating full debut for striker Luka. He performed well and lasted until 71 minutes before being replaced by Igor Jesus, leaving the pitch with just 11 touches after a lack of service. What we know about him is unconvincing.

Wolves defended admirably to earn their fourth away point of the season and were likely to pull a goal back in stoppage time. However, impressive teenager Mateus Mane fired straight at Forest goalkeeper Stefan Ortega on the break.

Forest failed to put pressure on coach-starved Tottenham Hotspur but remain three points above the relegation zone. A win would be enough to tie Tottenham and put them in deeper trouble. Wolves, meanwhile, remain firmly at the bottom of the table, 18 points from safety.

What did Dyche say after Wolves’ draw?

Dyche became the third Forest manager to be sacked this season and faced questions over his future after the damaging draw, with boss Evangelos Marinakis watching from the stands.

The club announced his departure at 12.30am about three hours after the result, with the club’s winless run in the league stretching to three games, and the 54-year-old admitted it could happen.

“The owners have been fair to me, no question about it,” he said. “If someone chooses to change football now, that’s their decision. We’ve all seen it.

“People can ask for change but the question is always whether they change. I’m just working very hard. I care about this club. I’ve made that clear. I’m working very hard.”

“If the boss wants to make changes it’s up to him, that’s football now, that’s the reality.

“But I’m not questioning the owner here. He was absolutely fair to me from start to finish, and I was fair to him, telling him the truth every step of the way.

“The boss is the boss. They don’t let you warm up and everything will come if that’s how it is. I’m a realist. I know the noise has changed a lot here since the last few games.

“He’s been top-notch for me since I’ve been here. If he wants to make a change it’s entirely up to him and if the fans want a change it’s entirely up to them. All I do is work very, very hard at a club that I care about.”

Edwards proud of Wolves’ fight

Wolves boss Rob Edwards:

“Obviously, we didn’t play very well but showed a lot of other fighting qualities and fighting qualities that you need to show no matter how you play. They were better, no question.”

“But no one can question the commitment, effort and fighting spirit of the lads. We can question some of the football, the decisions we made and the quality we showed at times. But there is another side of the game that needs to be there.”

The numbers behind forest waste

• Nottingham Forest’s 35 shots without a goal was the most by any team in the Premier League since Manchester United’s 38 shots in a 0-0 draw with Burnley in October 2016.
• Forest took 35 shots in this game, the most in the Premier League since the 2022-23 season and the most in Sean Dyche’s 351st game in charge.
• Forest had 62.9% possession, the tenth time in the Premier League that Dyche’s team had at least 60% possession, and he has not won any of those games (D4 L6).
• Wolves suffered 35 shots and only one Premier League game in their history has suffered more – 36 against Liverpool in May 2024.

Forest’s daunting schedule

• Fenerbahce (guest) – Europa League knockout round first leg – Thursday 19 February; starts at 5.45pm
• Liverpool (home) – Premier League – Live Sunday 22nd February sky sports; Starts at 2 p.m.
• Fenerbahce (home) – Europa League knockout round second leg – Thursday 26 February; starts at 8pm
• Brighton (guest) – Premier League – Live Sunday 1 March sky sports; Starts at 2 p.m.
• Manchester City (guest) – Premier League – Wednesday 4 March; starts at 7.30pm
• Fulham (home) – Premier League – Saturday 14 March; kick-off 3pm

Game stories in statistics…

What will happen to the Premier League?